Hapa-haole (English-Hawaiian-Chinese) actor Keanu Charles Reeves (1964-) was born on this day in Beirut, Lebanon. His first name is Hawaiian for "cool breeze over the mountains."

"I'm a meathead. I can't help it, man. You've got smart people and you've got dumb people," said the self-deprecating Reeves, who has Canadian citizenship and dropped out of high school to become an actor.

His 1994 supercharged hit film Speed (w/ Sandra Bullock) made him a superstar. His role as Neo in The Matrix trilogy (1999, 2003, 2003) set box-office records and made him a sci-fi cult figure.

"It’s hard to act in the morning. The muse isn’t even awake," he once playfully observed. With a passion for motorcycles, Reeves has a reputation for being laid-back, a team player, and intensely private. People enjoy working with him.

In his spare time, he plays the bass with Dogstar, a touring rock band. He called the experience "invigorating" and "good, clean fun for a Friday night." Reeves turned down $11 million for the Speed sequel to go out on the road with the band.

"You give over so much time and energy to acting," Reeves said, "that you have to replenish yourself. You have to live life to talk about life."

Honor yourself: pay closer attention.